Flaherty runs over Red Devils

Wednesday, November 28, 2012 -- Anonymous (not verified)

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High School Football

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Author(s):

Tom Layman

BURLINGTON — It’s not often that a heavyweight bout actually lives up to the pregame hype. But that’s exactly what happened last night in the semifinals of the Division 2A playoffs between Burlington and Beverly.

And all those in attendance, either crammed in the stands or perched from the top of the hill at Varsity Field, got their money’s worth with the first hint of winter dropping from the sky.

Brendan Flaherty delivered body shots and the knockout blow with 252 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries, as Beverly survived a physical test to run away late with a 34-21 victory over the host Red Devils (10-2).

Beverly (12-0) will go for its second Super Bowl victory in three seasons on Saturday in another top billing, when it takes on Natick at Gillette Stadium (3:30 p.m.).

“It could have been our last game,” Flaherty said. “We realized that and we were determined. We didn’t want it to be our last. We have to finish the journey we came here to do.”

The Red Devils matched the Panthers’ physicality, which has been tough to do this season, every step up the way in a back-and-forth first half that saw the hosts take a 14-13 lead into the break.

Shane Farley tried to get the ball into Anthony Cruz’ hands with a pass behind the line of scrimmage on the opening drive of the third quarter, but it slipped out of his receiver’s grasp, and Flaherty was in the vicinity to force Farley to pounce on the ball.

Flaherty broke about eight tackles for a 50-yard punt return to get deep into Red Devils territory, and Kenny Pierce found room on the right side to get to the second level untouched for a 28-yard touchdown run for the 19-14 lead with 7:32 left in the third.

Burlington went on one of its staple drives, with lots of Cruz to get inside the red zone. On fourth-and-4 from the 7, Farley rolled right and tried to throw a pass across the grain to Cruz, but Pierce was there to plant the receiver into the ground for a 3-yard loss, turning the ball over to the Panthers.

“I was just sitting in the flat and nobody really came to my side,” Pierce said of the stop. “The quarterback just turned around and threw it and it was just instinct.”

White rushed for 39 yards on first down. Flaherty went for 47 on the next play and then the star senior running back was in the end zone from 4 yards out for a 27-14 lead. In three plays, the Panthers chewed up 90 yards, changing the complexion of the game and gaining momentum.

Flaherty added his fourth score on a 27-yard run before Burlington showed late signs of life with a 37-yard connection between Harrison Smoske and Farley. The Red Devils collected the onside kick, but Mike Dooling and Sean Winston stood up Cruz on a fourth-and-1 close to midfield to essentially ice the game.